Related Links

Co-defendant testifies in murder trial

Published: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:26 p.m.

A 26-year-old man who died after being shot twice in the chest about three years ago was involved in a scuffle with a man being tried this week for first-degree murder, according to testimony given by the man's co-defendant on Tuesday.

Lecourtney Quandarrius Murphy, 22, testified against 34-year-old Phillip Scott Baker in the July 2010 death of Chadric "Chad" Lee Newsome. Murphy's remarks came after Alan Martin, Davidson County assistant district attorney, and Baker's attorney, Mike Klinkosum, delivered their opening arguments.

Baker rejected a plea bargain in November 2012.

Murphy, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and legs shackled, took the stand. Murphy, in October 2012, accepted a plea agreement to testify against Baker. He pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact of murder and accessory after the fact of robbery, and is expected to be sentenced after a verdict is returned in the trial.

Murphy explained to the jury he had contact with Newsome once or twice a week as he sold Newsome between one-half to a pound of marijuana on each occasion for about a year. They often met at Murphy's residence.

Murphy testified he met Baker through his uncle a couple of months prior to Newsome's death. "We would hang out, go to a drink spot or something," he said, referring to his relationship with Baker.

Prior to the fatal shooting at an abandoned home on Dacotah Street, Murphy received a call from Newsome who was looking for marijuana, according to his testimony. Murphy testified Newsome inquired about getting a pound of marijuana. Murphy didn't have enough marijuana to make a pound so he contacted Baker.

Murphy said the two couldn't come up with the pound so Baker told him they "might as well rob" Newsome. The co-defendant testified he first told Baker "no," regarding robbing Newsome because he wanted him to continue to purchase marijuana from him. Murphy, however, eventually agreed, he conceded in court.

Murphy drove Baker over to another street near the abandoned house. He dropped Baker off who then walked to the Dacotah Street house. Baker, Murphy testified, carried a gun in a bag that he usually used to transport marijuana. Murphy also told Newsome he was going to be in Salisbury and that he would have to meet Baker to purchase the marijuana for $600 on Dacotah Street.

Baker, Murphy said, placed a gun and a towel in the bag to make it look "fuller."

After Baker returned to a vehicle Murphy was driving, he appeared to be tired and looked scared, Murphy said.

"I started asking him what happened," he said. "At first he wouldn't tell me, but once we got on the highway, he told me what happened."

Murphy said Baker told him that once Newsome came into the abandoned house he pulled out the gun and asked Newsome to get on his knees.

"Once Chad got on his knees, Phillip started asking for the money," Murphy testified. "Chad. … had the money in hand and then told Phillip, 'here goes the money.' Once Phillip reached for the money, Chad jumped up and they started wrestling and they started fighting."

Murphy said Baker missed the first time after firing a shot.

"They fought some more," he said. "Phillip said he shot again, and he heard Chad grunt. But they still are fighting. Chad didn't stop fighting, so Phillip shot again and heard him grunt."

Newsome is the son of Davidson County 911 Center supervisor Joni Grubb. She was on duty when the shooting was reported. Grubb previously told The Dispatch she listened to the calls for help, but didn't learn until later her son was the victim.

Tuesday, family members consoled Grubb in the courtroom as Murphy recounted what led to her son's death.

Murphy continued with his testimony, saying the two men fought until one of the men decided they needed to leave before the police arrived. Newsome, who was shot twice in the chest, drove himself to Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center. He was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem where he died.

In his opening arguments, Martin said the case was about choices.

"(Baker) didn't make the first choice that led to the death of Chad Newsome, but he did make the last choice and the worst choice," he said. "Those choices caused Chad Newsome's death. The events that played out led to Chad's death. … The next consequence is that (Baker) will reap what he has sewn … when he is proven to be guilty of armed robbery and first-degree murder."

Klinkosum, meanwhile, told the jury there was no physical forensic evidence that connects Baker to Newsome's death. He also pointed out that Murphy was convicted in 2009 of providing fictitious information to a law enforcement officer in Rowan County.

Gary Sweetwater Wilson, who said Newsome was his best friend, also testified. He rode with Newsome to the Dacotah Street residence but did not enter the house. Wilson heard gunshots and took off running to a nearby residence. He testified he ran through a house, which had its doors open and alerted the residents a shooting had just occurred.

Wilson testified he had a gun and hid it in a trash can in the residence because he feared being found with it as he's a convicted felon. He said the gun was not used in the incident. Prosecutors have agreed not to charge Wilson with possession of a firearm by a felon.

Lexington Police Officer Christopher Giordano was the first officer on the scene. He testified he found money on and around the porch at the residence.

The trial continues Wednesday with additional testimonies from witnesses.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

<p>A 26-year-old man who died after being shot twice in the chest about three years ago was involved in a scuffle with a man being tried this week for first-degree murder, according to testimony given by the man's co-defendant on Tuesday.</p><p>Lecourtney Quandarrius Murphy, 22, testified against 34-year-old Phillip Scott Baker in the July 2010 death of Chadric "Chad" Lee Newsome. Murphy's remarks came after Alan Martin, Davidson County assistant district attorney, and Baker's attorney, Mike Klinkosum, delivered their opening arguments.</p><p>Baker rejected a plea bargain in November 2012.</p><p>Murphy, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and legs shackled, took the stand. Murphy, in October 2012, accepted a plea agreement to testify against Baker. He pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact of murder and accessory after the fact of robbery, and is expected to be sentenced after a verdict is returned in the trial.</p><p>Murphy explained to the jury he had contact with Newsome once or twice a week as he sold Newsome between one-half to a pound of marijuana on each occasion for about a year. They often met at Murphy's residence. </p><p>Murphy testified he met Baker through his uncle a couple of months prior to Newsome's death. "We would hang out, go to a drink spot or something," he said, referring to his relationship with Baker.</p><p>Prior to the fatal shooting at an abandoned home on Dacotah Street, Murphy received a call from Newsome who was looking for marijuana, according to his testimony. Murphy testified Newsome inquired about getting a pound of marijuana. Murphy didn't have enough marijuana to make a pound so he contacted Baker.</p><p>Murphy said the two couldn't come up with the pound so Baker told him they "might as well rob" Newsome. The co-defendant testified he first told Baker "no," regarding robbing Newsome because he wanted him to continue to purchase marijuana from him. Murphy, however, eventually agreed, he conceded in court.</p><p>Murphy drove Baker over to another street near the abandoned house. He dropped Baker off who then walked to the Dacotah Street house. Baker, Murphy testified, carried a gun in a bag that he usually used to transport marijuana. Murphy also told Newsome he was going to be in Salisbury and that he would have to meet Baker to purchase the marijuana for $600 on Dacotah Street.</p><p>Baker, Murphy said, placed a gun and a towel in the bag to make it look "fuller."</p><p>After Baker returned to a vehicle Murphy was driving, he appeared to be tired and looked scared, Murphy said.</p><p>"I started asking him what happened," he said. "At first he wouldn't tell me, but once we got on the highway, he told me what happened."</p><p>Murphy said Baker told him that once Newsome came into the abandoned house he pulled out the gun and asked Newsome to get on his knees.</p><p>"Once Chad got on his knees, Phillip started asking for the money," Murphy testified. "Chad. … had the money in hand and then told Phillip, 'here goes the money.' Once Phillip reached for the money, Chad jumped up and they started wrestling and they started fighting." </p><p>Murphy said Baker missed the first time after firing a shot.</p><p>"They fought some more," he said. "Phillip said he shot again, and he heard Chad grunt. But they still are fighting. Chad didn't stop fighting, so Phillip shot again and heard him grunt."</p><p>Newsome is the son of Davidson County 911 Center supervisor Joni Grubb. She was on duty when the shooting was reported. Grubb previously told The Dispatch she listened to the calls for help, but didn't learn until later her son was the victim. </p><p>Tuesday, family members consoled Grubb in the courtroom as Murphy recounted what led to her son's death.</p><p>Murphy continued with his testimony, saying the two men fought until one of the men decided they needed to leave before the police arrived. Newsome, who was shot twice in the chest, drove himself to Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center. He was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem where he died.</p><p>In his opening arguments, Martin said the case was about choices.</p><p>"(Baker) didn't make the first choice that led to the death of Chad Newsome, but he did make the last choice and the worst choice," he said. "Those choices caused Chad Newsome's death. The events that played out led to Chad's death. … The next consequence is that (Baker) will reap what he has sewn … when he is proven to be guilty of armed robbery and first-degree murder."</p><p>Klinkosum, meanwhile, told the jury there was no physical forensic evidence that connects Baker to Newsome's death. He also pointed out that Murphy was convicted in 2009 of providing fictitious information to a law enforcement officer in Rowan County.</p><p>Gary Sweetwater Wilson, who said Newsome was his best friend, also testified. He rode with Newsome to the Dacotah Street residence but did not enter the house. Wilson heard gunshots and took off running to a nearby residence. He testified he ran through a house, which had its doors open and alerted the residents a shooting had just occurred. </p><p>Wilson testified he had a gun and hid it in a trash can in the residence because he feared being found with it as he's a convicted felon. He said the gun was not used in the incident. Prosecutors have agreed not to charge Wilson with possession of a firearm by a felon.</p><p>Lexington Police Officer Christopher Giordano was the first officer on the scene. He testified he found money on and around the porch at the residence. </p><p>The trial continues Wednesday with additional testimonies from witnesses.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.</p>